In Good Company
Dan Foreman is a seasoned advertisement sales executive at a high-ranking publication when a corporate takeover results in him being placed under naive supervisor Carter Duryea, who is half his age. Matters are made worse when Dan's new supervisor becomes romantically involved with his daughter an 18 year-old college student Alex.
The film earned $61.3M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
In Good Company (2004) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Paul Weitz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dan Foreman, 51, drives to work at Sports America magazine where he's a successful ad sales executive with a stable career and close relationships with his team and clients.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Globecom acquires Sports America and immediately fires Dan's boss. Dan is demoted from ad sales director and assigned a new boss: Carter Duryea, an ambitious 26-year-old with no magazine experience.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Dan chooses to stay and work under Carter despite his humiliation, accepting this new professional reality. Carter fully commits to his new role, moving forward despite his personal life crumbling., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Dan discovers Carter is dating his daughter Alex. The professional relationship that was slowly improving is shattered by this personal betrayal, and Dan furiously confronts Carter., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carter is fired by Globecom after his initiatives fail. Dan is offered his old job back, but the victory is hollow—his mentor Morty was fired, colleagues were laid off, and his family relationships are damaged., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dan makes peace with Carter and accepts Alex's choices. Carter starts over with humility, taking a lower position. Dan reconnects with his family. Alex goes to college. Everyone moves forward with authenticity over ambition., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In Good Company's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping In Good Company against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Weitz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In Good Company within the comedy genre.
Paul Weitz's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Paul Weitz films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. In Good Company takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Paul Weitz filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Paul Weitz analyses, see American Pie, Little Fockers and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dan Foreman, 51, drives to work at Sports America magazine where he's a successful ad sales executive with a stable career and close relationships with his team and clients.
Theme
Dan's daughter Alex tells him "You're good at what you do because you actually care about people," establishing the theme of authentic human connection versus corporate efficiency.
Worldbuilding
Dan's comfortable life is established: loving family with wife Ann and daughters Alex and Jana, respected position at work, genuine friendships with colleagues, and his wife's surprise pregnancy at 51.
Disruption
Globecom acquires Sports America and immediately fires Dan's boss. Dan is demoted from ad sales director and assigned a new boss: Carter Duryea, an ambitious 26-year-old with no magazine experience.
Resistance
Dan resists the new corporate regime and struggles with his demotion while Carter awkwardly tries to assert authority. Dan debates quitting but needs the job with a new baby coming. Carter's marriage falls apart.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dan chooses to stay and work under Carter despite his humiliation, accepting this new professional reality. Carter fully commits to his new role, moving forward despite his personal life crumbling.
Premise
The odd-couple dynamic plays out: Dan teaches Carter about the magazine business and authentic client relationships while Carter pursues synergy initiatives. Carter secretly dates Alex, creating comic tension as he bonds with Dan.
Midpoint
Dan discovers Carter is dating his daughter Alex. The professional relationship that was slowly improving is shattered by this personal betrayal, and Dan furiously confronts Carter.
Opposition
Dan and Carter's relationship deteriorates. Carter's corporate initiatives fail spectacularly. Dan faces increasing pressure from layoffs. Alex continues seeing Carter against her father's wishes, straining family bonds.
Collapse
Carter is fired by Globecom after his initiatives fail. Dan is offered his old job back, but the victory is hollow—his mentor Morty was fired, colleagues were laid off, and his family relationships are damaged.
Crisis
Dan grapples with his win feeling like a loss. Carter faces his failures and what he's become. Alex prepares to leave for college. Everyone contemplates what really matters and what they've sacrificed.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Dan makes peace with Carter and accepts Alex's choices. Carter starts over with humility, taking a lower position. Dan reconnects with his family. Alex goes to college. Everyone moves forward with authenticity over ambition.